Polar plunge held in Southport

January 12, 2013 5:22 PM

The shock of hitting the cold water registers on the faces of the children who take part in a polar plunge to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 13, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

The shock of hitting the cold water registers on the faces of the children who take part in a polar plunge to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, ... more

Shocked kids and adults alike rush back to shore as they take part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

Shocked kids and adults alike rush back to shore as they take part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. ... more

The shock of hitting the cold water registers on the faces of the children and adults who take part in a polar plunge to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 13, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

The shock of hitting the cold water registers on the faces of the children and adults who take part in a polar plunge to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in ... more

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell ... more

Ken Osborn of Prospect, carries "Pete" the penguin as he takes part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

Ken Osborn of Prospect, carries "Pete" the penguin as he takes part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. ... more

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell ... more

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell ... more

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell ... more

Phil Schellhorn anticipates taking part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

Phil Schellhorn anticipates taking part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, ... more

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell ... more

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell ... more

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell ... more

Ken Osborn of Prospect, takes a picture of the unofficial event mascott, "Pete" the penguin, as he takes part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

Ken Osborn of Prospect, takes a picture of the unofficial event mascott, "Pete" the penguin, as he takes part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown ... more

Rick Magee, of Bethel, exits the water after taking part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

Rick Magee, of Bethel, exits the water after taking part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on ... more

Organizer Eric Hodska thanks participants for coming to a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

Organizer Eric Hodska thanks participants for coming to a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday ... more

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell ... more

Kate Hodska, 9 of Monroe, tests the water before taking part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

Kate Hodska, 9 of Monroe, tests the water before taking part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on ... more

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

A polar plunge was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell ... more

Chris McDonnell, whose daughter Grace was a victim in the Newtown shootings, takes part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

Chris McDonnell, whose daughter Grace was a victim in the Newtown shootings, takes part in a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach ... more

Dan Liberati, of Danbury, gets some hot chocolate while at a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday January 12, 2013. Money raised goes to the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund and the Glenn Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. less

Dan Liberati, of Danbury, gets some hot chocolate while at a polar plunge which was held to benefit two charities named for two victims of the Newtown tragedy, at Southport Beach in Southport, Conn. on Saturday ... more